TYS Swim Program Teaches Swimmers Life Skills In And Out Of Pool

The TYS Swim program through the Y teaches swimmers the importance of having good habits both in the pool and in life.

The Campo YMCA, located in Valrico, offers the local community a variety of quality workout equipment, fun classes as well as fitness programs and clubs perfect for kids and teens. One of these standout programs includes the swim program.

The TYS program includes swimmers from the Brandon, Campo and New Tampa and they compete with Brandon Swim and Aquatic Center, Tampa Bay Aquatics and local USA meets. While the Campo branch was launched in 2009, the program has more than 70 kids and already has swimmers that show great promise in the sport.

“This year we placed third at Y States in Orlando and we had three swimmers go to the Short Course Championship in March,” said Joey Sheppard, swim coach at the Campo Y. The three swimmers are Paige Gran (10), Zach Cravens (12) and Nick Cannon (14), all three of which qualified based on their own personal times. “Now that the Short Course
Championship is over, the three swimmers will be focusing on the Long Course Championship, happening this summer.”
While the goals of the swim program includes taking second place at 2013 Y States, taking 10 or more swimmers to Florida Age Group States and develop well-rounded individuals, not just swimmers.

“All of the coaches want to teach the swimmers life skills and manners, not just swimming skills. Each month we ask them to come up with goals to work on and track them throughout the month,” said Sheppard. “This way we can try and teach the swimmers the importance of taking responsibility for themselves. We want them to know that they can make an impact in more than just swimming.

The teams also get involved in community service by hosting developmental summer leagues and volunteering as junior lifeguards.

The Campo Family YMCA is located at 3414 Culbreath Rd. in Valrico. For more information about the YMCA and their programs, visit www.ymca.net or call 684-1371.